Futbol W: NWSL Recap + Kiki van Zanten Joins The Show + NWSL POTW Picks + Red Cards Galore + UWCL Check In + Top 10 Goals

15:53Jeff Kassouf:But it seems to be like Portland's trend in the last few seasons right. Allie, everything kind of seems to be, I don't want to say falling apart, but so many injuries that we saw last season. Sophia Wilson taking the year, as we know. And these players are looking at each other and saying, well, we're kind of all that we have. So let's kind of come together. Have you ever been in a situation like that where you kind of look at each other and say, OK, it's up to us?

16:19Cristina Alexander:Yeah, absolutely. Multiple times. Multiple times. This is a safe space. Yeah, no. Multiple times, you know as a player just like toward it unmentioned you have to just you know show up and Do the best you can in that moment and kind of take the game as it is But you know play your role, right? You can only control your work ethic and your attitude So you you have to do that in that moment because it's a business at the end of the day You want to win and your competitors, but this goes to show you about Portland's mentality and you mentioned yeah They haven't been you know playing to their potential or they haven't had you know the best players available throughout the last couple of seasons.

16:58Cristina Alexander:But this goes to show you that this young, talented group has a mentality that is unmatched. They are willing to fight. They are willing to grid it out. But playing a rivalry game with nine players and winning 2-0 is pretty incredible. And to see the game out with 30 minutes left to go, that's really impressive. For a young, talented group in Portland, who the coach had just flown in, basically had spent a week with the team, two hours before the Washington Spirit game, does a team talk, and they go out and they win. So something is working right, but it's definitely the mentality and the grit that they have.

17:40Cristina Alexander:And you can tell how they are with one another, too. They're playing with this fun and this freedom where they enjoy each other. They're sharing the ball. They're excited for each other when they're scoring goals and they have quality on the field. So all of that wrapped into one you want to fight for each other. You want to support each other. You want to play better for each other. And I think that is what we saw this past weekend.

18:03Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and I think even a nil nil would have been impressive playing nine down for 30 plus minutes 10 down from the ninth minute Jeff. But when it comes to those red cards, we're going to get deep into this conversation here in a little bit with red cards and NWSL season so far. if we're only in week two. But both red cards, were they justified to you? Yeah, absolutely. I mean, the back-to-back yellow is 56 seconds apart. You know, I think just maybe a player who was a little bit too amped up, potentially, for a very big moment, her first very big game in this league, really, in this rivalry. And then the red card, again, like letter of the law, a hair pull, whether we're talking how intentional is it or not.

18:45Certainly, you've got your fist on, you know, the hair. I mean, like, there's just no question. I think absolutely justified. And, yeah, I think, you know, we haven't talked much about Seattle, but, you know, this was a memorable result, a memorable derby. I think one of the most memorable regular season games I can remember for the fact of what Portland did. And also, Jess Fishlock said at postgame, it's a very painful lesson that we've learned here because we could talk about Seattle's travel. I think it was well-documented last week, getting stuck in Portland for as long as they did. I'm sure they were fatigued.

19:18But to be 11 v 10, then 11 v 9, even with fatigue of the cross country travel delays, they offered very little. I mean, you talk about the XG, what Portland was able to create, even down a player, down two players. I think that's for a Seattle team that struggled to finish enough last year to not even create it. 11 v 10, 11 v 9, I think is a real eye opener.

19:42Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, definitely. I mean, if you're going to learn a lesson, better that it be week two of the season. You're just getting started. Still have plenty of time to get it together. Quick time out. Some breakfast intel you want to know about. Kodiak Frozen Power Waffles and Flapjacks are built for busy mornings. Heat it, eat it, and you're out the door. No long prep, no complicated game plan. They're packed with 12 to 14 grams of protein per serving a good source of fiber and crafted with 100 % whole grains, not refined white flour. So you're getting something that actually fuels you. And there's depth on the roster.

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21:19Jeff Kassouf:Let's continue on in what other games we saw in week two. Louisville versus Washington Spirit. We're going to take it into the seventh minute. Trinity Rodman in the box. Both of our efforts are saved by Jordan Bloomer, Allie.

21:34Cristina Alexander:Yeah, well done by Jordan Bloomer. She obviously had a phenomenal season last year, and that's why she is still in goal for Louisville. And she came up big here against Trinity Robin to prevent her from scoring a goal.

21:46Jeff Kassouf:And then it's no surprise to see this race here from Rosemont Kwasi. But Bloomer again, Jeff. Yeah, I mean, eight minutes into this game, this would have been a very different match with either of these goals. Or either of these had been converted, and Bloomer came up big. And Macias came up big in general as well. Gets it here to Kayla Fisher. Gets it past Sandy MacGyver for the goal alley.

22:05Cristina Alexander:Yeah, that's just unfortunate. I'm sure the, you know, MacGyver is going to be super disappointed here. That's just uncharacteristic, right? And unfortunate, but well done by Emma Sears to be able to put the ball in back of the net. And how about this, Jeff, from Emma Sears? I think U.S. national team player on national team player crime a little bit here. Yeah, a little bit. But this was an 82-yard run for Emma Sears. Incredible.

22:28Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, dirty, 50th minute. Sophia Cantore! Not much else to say, Allie.

22:34Cristina Alexander:No, she smashes into the back of the net. It's a beautiful shot. I mean, what more do you want from a player of that caliber? She's incredible.

22:43Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and Washington Spirit wanted to at least get the tie, and they do with Lacey Santos. Tucks away the equalizer. 2-2 draw here for Washington versus Louisville. Let's hear from Esme Morgan on halftime adjustments. I address the fact that we were two goals down and we really had to pull ourselves together to fight back and really battle for every loose ball. And if a pass wasn't perfect, then you make it into a good one and just really fight for one another. But using the strengths that we had, I encouraged Rose to go 1v1 against her tackle because she's one of the fastest, most dangerous dribblers in the league.

23:22And it was just a case of encouraging people to do what they do well and then just stick to being patient and getting into those positions just once we did, raising the tempo, being aggressive in the final third, and just going into every single action with the attitude that we wanted to turn the game around. So that was kind of the main topic and message.

23:44Jeff Kassouf:With that clear message, too, but it truly was a tale of two halves, Ali. A much better second half for Washington Spirit. But it's good that they're able to adjust quickly, but are you surprised with the maybe kind of rough start that they're having to the season?

23:58Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I am a bit surprised, right? We all assumed they were going to be champions and win the shield and, you know, go on and continue to hopefully get back to the final and win this time around. But that's not out of the picture, obviously. But we all assumed that the start would probably be a little bit different, especially with Trinity, you know, full, healthy, fit and ready to go. It's, you know, it happens, though, with teams throughout the season. some teams come out and they're roaring and they're ready to go. And, you know, we might not have assumed that from the start, like in L.A. or Houston who haven't been that successful in the past, you know, recent seasons.

24:38Cristina Alexander:And we talked about that earlier. But with the Washington Spirit, they have the quality. They have the depth. They have the leadership. Everything is there. And they just have to figure out how to then apply those tools that they know that they have in their back pocket into these matches and into these games to just get back on the right foot. The season's, you know, it's still wide open, right? Just because they're not, you know, not playing their best at the very beginning doesn't mean they're going to be, you know, thriving in the end. So, yeah, it's a bit surprising, but, you know, it's not a chaos moment and it's not a crisis moment, I should say.

25:16Jeff Kassouf:Not sounding the alarm yet, Jeff, but is this Washington spirit getting used to not having Croy Bethune? Yeah, I think, I mean, Croy Bethune's a big absence. I think we see from those highlights, too. I mean, Aubrey Kingsbury not being in net, you know, was certainly a difference here to a degree, right? I mean, you look at what Jordan Bloomer did to keep that scoreless, and then you look at the other end, and I think there's the lack of experience there. So, yeah, I think those are some absences. I do think, you know, just like the Portland game, the opener, I feel like if they can start to find their feet, whether it's Rodman, it's Kowasi, it's Sofia Cantore, whoever's up front there, GIF Monday, those early goals could have changed both of those games.

25:55And I think the opportunities are there. They have been a little bit slow to click. I do think that this game in particular played out in a way where we saw some of this from last year from both of these teams. Louisville blowing a 2-0 lead. This was a huge issue for them last year. They could have been hosting a playoff game had they kept any kind of a lead in any of their – I think they dropped 11 points in the final 10 minutes last year across the season. and then Washington having to sort of save games at the end. So that maybe is a little bit of a concern if you're either of these teams that last year's ghosts are sort of creeping into this year.

26:29Right. But, you know, it's a little early to be sounding a huge alarm on Washington, but I do think it's been a much slower start than expected.

26:36Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, early, very, very early concerns. And, you know, to Washington's defense quite literally, we saw a Tara Rudd. I was about to say, McKeown, Tara Rudd being uncharacteristic in week one, getting beaten really easily by Olivia Moultrie. We kind of saw the same, I don't want to say the same thing. Emma Sears was impressive. It was tough for her to kind of take her down. But how impressed have you been, Allie, with Emma Sears, whether it be with Louisville and especially with the U.S. Women's National Team?

27:06Cristina Alexander:Yeah, you can see how, you know, Emma has grown into this type of player that she wants to be, right? You can tell that she's learning consistently. She's willing to then apply what she's learning into these games especially taking that knowledge from the national team experience and then and then bringing it here back to Louisville. And look it's playing to her advantage and the team's advantage when she's at her pet her best. The team is playing really well and they're successful. So as long as she continues to get on the ball she continues to grow into the player and work on those individual aspects of her game that she wants to improve and that she's told us here at football W that she wants to improve.

27:43Cristina Alexander:I think it's going to be a wonderful season for her. She's off to a flying start. And the team is obviously more successful when she's on the field. And it's great to see that she's continuing that success with the national team because obviously she's doing something right because she's continuing to get called in there as well.

28:01Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. It's scary to think that Emma Sears at this level. It's scary. It is a very positive thing. And to think that she still has growing to do. And she's already so, so good and so confident that we're seeing there with Louisville. I mean, to take Tara Rudd one-on-one like that and to still be opening and still find a way, I mean, just speaks volumes of the confidence that she is seeing. We'll have to see if the confidence is still around for a Houston Dash team after what we saw last week involving Denver from Space City to the Summit. Yasmeen Ryan and Delaney Sheehan are joining expansion side Denver Summit FC in a big trade where Houston will get$800 ,000 in interleague transfer funds plus$200 ,000 in expansion allocation money from Denver.

28:49Jeff Kassouf:Ryan and Sheehan joined the dash ahead of the 2025 NWSL season. So let's see how Yasmeen did in her first game with Denver Summit. No Delaney, at least for this one, against Orlando. 24th minute Melissa Kosser scoring from center of the box. And Jeff, Denver going up 1-0. The go-to goal scorer for Denver early. Week 1, week 2, she's been on it. And she's been carrying them right so far for a Summit team that's starting to find their feet. Yeah, quite the cheeky finish there from her 61st minute. The go-to goal scorer for Orlando Pride is, insert Barbara Banda here, Allie.

29:29Cristina Alexander:Yeah, wonderful doing what she does best. She just her physicality right here on OK just, you know, just gets her this this goal and she does really well on that to put the ball in the back of the net.

29:42Jeff Kassouf:So let's see how Houston Dash did and actually their second game without these two players that we just mentioned. Kiki Van Zandt in the 43rd minute opening it up, Jeff. Yeah, I mean, this final pass is just spectacular. Obviously a great finish to the far post, but this was one of Houston's best buildup plays to. And she was really feeling a 59th minute. It's Kiki Van Zetten again and from close range, Allie.

30:06Cristina Alexander:Yeah, that was all timing and the interception of this pass in the press that she was talking about. And unbelievable to be able to finish in that. And I love the celebration, too.

30:17Jeff Kassouf:It was great. And it wasn't over yet for Houston versus Boston. They made it 3-0 with Kat Raider, Jeff. Yeah, some hard lessons being learned by Boston early days here. So a tough one for Boston, but a huge result for Houston again. Okay. It's been great so far. Week two. A little more notes on what we saw from Dash's home opener. They won their opening two games of the season for the first time in team history with that attendance of 10 ,259. That sets a record for the highest in Dash's NWSL home opener. And Houston's Kiki Van Zanten scores her first career NWSL brace. Jane Campbell, quite the start to her season two.

30:55Jeff Kassouf:She earned her 44th clean sheet in league play. We just saw her two goals and we see her now in studio with us. Kiki Van Zanden, welcome to Football W. We were just able to enjoy yet again your first career brace. How are you feeling after that? And especially in front of a record crowd in Houston? I'm feeling amazing. I was so happy to score those goals for my team. They were great team goals and I was just happy to be on the end of them. Let's talk a little bit about how you were feeling in the momentum of the game. I mean, the two goals starting off, did you think, okay, I'll score a brace today?

31:35Jeff Kassouf:Or did you kind of just see the game developing? You know, it's a part of it. I saw the game developing. I thought we were so energetic and everyone was sticking to the game plan. And I think we scouted Boston really well and just went exactly according to plan. And we worked on these buildups in front of their back three all week. And I was happy that one of these pressing moments also came to fruition. That's what we worked on, pressing and building in front of their three. And, yeah, just happy to get on the end of those.

32:11Cristina Alexander:And Kiki, you came into the first match and really changed the game and then earned your brace in the second match. What does that say about your mindset and how you approached this game? I'm just always grateful to be on the field. I think I'm playing a position that I don't normally play, so I was just excited and ready to take in information. Every game is different, requires different things, so I think just my mindset is to always stay ready. Kiki, at a team level, I mean, a hot start for Houston, been one, you know, the best one that we've seen from the dash. Is anything to you from the inside?

32:51Is anything different about this year? Does it feel like a continuation of last year? Take us sort of inside the early success. Yeah, I think we've worked so hard as a team to kind of build our interpersonal relationships and create that trust on the field that we have together. And if someone makes a mistake, it's totally fine. We're tracking back for the other one. If one person decides to press, the other 10 decide to go. And I think knowing that 10 people have your back based on whatever decisions you make on the field has been huge for us. So I just think the strength of the roster and the trust that we have for each other is so different than the years past.

33:33Cristina Alexander:And Ki, going back to your individual performance in the match and talking about both of those goals, your movement looked extremely sharp. You're talking about pressing moments and really capitalizing on that. What were you seeing in those moments? And do you feel like you're playing right now with a lot of freedom? Yeah, I think there's a balance of playing something out of position, wanting to go to instinct and then also make those coaching points that you got before the game. And I think I was just trying to find the balance between the two to try to create those chances and just be decisive in those moments.

34:10And I mean, talking about those, I mean, pressing moments, as Ali said, you mentioned it earlier, Kiki. I'm curious. I think we saw bits and pieces of this Dash team from the outside last year and you all were building. I mean, how do you feel like the identity has come together? What do you want this identity to be when you as a team are talking about who the Dash are? We talk a lot about unity and just doing things together. And I think if we win as a team, we lose as a team, we make mistakes as a team. No success or fault is just on one person. So I think what we want people to see when they watch us play together is just a united group of girls that have each other's backs.

34:52Jeff Kassouf:It seems like Houston, this was the team's kind of only savior, right? To stay together, to kind of go through the motions, whether it was coaching changes, whether it was changes or rumors about going elsewhere, Houston Dash in general, Kiki. So going back to what Jeff said about the locker room environment, who are you seeing popping up as the main leaders that help you out when maybe some adverse, unexpected adversity is kind of in front of you guys. Yeah, I think I've been at the club for three years and have seen quite a few coaching changes and a lot of player changes as well. But I think there are some younger players that are starting to step into more of a leadership role.

35:37And I think Avery Patterson is one of them. We look to her on the team to kind of be a spark plug of energy. And Maggie Graham is starting to be a voice for us in the midfield. And they're two of my closest friends on the team. So it's great to see them stepping into these roles. And then we obviously have some older players like Jane and Sophie Schmidt that are just constants within the team. And when changes happen, we kind of look to them to keep our head on straight and guide us through any difficulties or adversity.

36:10Cristina Alexander:And Kiki, you just had a special moment playing against your sister. How is that going up against her? And one, are you friends after the match? And two, how is that, you know, for your family to celebrate that moment? Oh, it was so special. I think that was one of the highlights of my career. I would have loved to be on the field at the same time as her, but so special. I think we missed a lot of our careers growing up. We're about four years apart. So we were always so invested in each other's journeys, but kind of from afar. So being able to share the field with her and hopefully internationally with Jamaica coming up is so important to me.

36:52And we had about 25 family members come out that rented like two 15 passenger bands. It was at this humongous Airbnb. So she drove me home after the game and we went and spent some time with the family that all showed up, but it was so special. And yeah, I'll never forget that night.

37:10Jeff Kassouf:Oh, I love that Kiki. I mean, I have an older sister myself so what is the biggest lesson that you've taken from her whether it's on the field or off the field as a sister in general um I think me and Mimi used to play soccer in the living room all the time um when we were growing up and I always had the ball because I was four years older than her and I was bigger than her and now I'm an attacker and she's a defender but um I think something that she does that inspires me is just she's so positive and um it's just really excited to keep playing and she's 21 years old and just like full of life and excitement and the experience will come and I think um just keeping that positivity and excitement um in my corner all the time and she's texting me every single day this is what happened in training this is what happened in the game um send me a list of what I did good and what I did bad in my last game and And yeah, I think it just brings us so close.

38:12And I also played soccer with my older sister growing up, and we were on the same club team. And it's just such a special relationship I have with both of my sisters, being able to play with them both.

38:23Jeff Kassouf:The trio of Van Zantens. I love to see it. Kiki, let's talk about what's coming up this Friday for Dash. Angel City has had quite the start as well. But I mean, everybody knows here I'm pulling for Houston Dash. Avery Patterson is my breakout player of the year, so I hope she doesn't disappoint me. I don't think she will. But talk to me about the expectations around this game on Friday, especially after this hot start at the Dash of Pad. Yeah, I think everybody's pretty pumped. LA's been coming out flying just as much as us, so I think it's going to be such a good game. We're working really hard behind the scenes to break them down and figure out what will work against them because obviously every single team is different.

39:05But, yeah, we're just excited to play against a team that's been having a lot of success and try to make that stop. But, yeah, I think that game will be super interesting to watch and pose some new challenges for us.

39:22Cristina Alexander:I just wanted to ask what, if anything, that you're really trying to work on this season, just in your individual skill and talent, to want to improve, to make sure you're continuing to score? a bunch of goals um yeah I think having a high percentage of like xg chances and creating quality when I'm in the box and not just um quantity quantity of chances but um creating things from from box entries whether it be like a corner kick or getting a cross off So I love looking at the data science of soccer and creating those quality chances, I think, is something that I definitely want to increase this year.

40:09Jeff Kassouf:Well, Kiki, we really hope that for you. We hope for a dash success as well, a little bit better than last season. And it's certainly starting off that way for you and the team. We really appreciate your time with us here on Football W. Hope to see you back here very soon. Thank you so much. So happy to have a Kiki on the show. Hopefully she'll be back. You know if she scores another brace or maybe a hat trick for now, this is what we've seen from her with the club. As we know, third place in CONCACAF W Championship 2022. As she said, looking forward to playing with her sister in Jamaica. There's 13 career appearances for Jamaica, scoring three goals and has four goals for Houston Dash in 23 NWSL games.

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43:02Jeff Kassouf:So she definitely has to be one of the nominees for player of the week. But everybody that I see on screen, I mean, right, honorable mention, but everybody deserves to be player of the week. That's just me in women's soccer. I want everybody to win if you ask me. Allie, let's start with your player of the week.

43:24Cristina Alexander:Yes, my player is the phenomenal Jan's daughter. We're going to put her up here. Everyone is probably not surprised at this. Nope. I think she has been phenomenal for LA and is why they are where they are at the top of the table. She is scoring goals. She is producing. She is combining. She is creating something out of nothing. the way that she's been able to score goals. And for example, at this one, just getting fighting to get in front of the defender, to place the ball, side netting, that's such quality. And it's difficult to do when you're 1v1 with a goalkeeper. And here, just getting up, her physicality, making sure she's in the right places on set pieces and creating these important goals for LA.

44:11Cristina Alexander:And I think that is something that they were missing last season. And now they have the quality of her and just the elite skill, the talent, her national team ability as well. Just wonderful addition to L.A. Nightmare to defend. Nightmare to defend. But, yeah, I'm happy I'm not out there. But, honestly, she has been such a thrill to watch. And I'm so excited for this weekend upcoming.

44:34Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, her decision-making has been clinical. And like you just noted, it's no surprise to see her up here and as your choice, Allie. Jeff, hipster pick? Oh this is I think I think I might have the hipster pick. You might. You might. This is no hipster. This is pure appreciation. Yep. Or playing 11 v 10 then 11 v 9 impressive performances all around. But I look at Jesse Fleming both sides of the ball after week one where we had a couple red cards for Canadians. Captain Canada makes amends for teammates red cards. I mean you see the secondary assist on the goal the second goal for Portland playing 10 v 11.

45:12You had her tracking back to cover fullbacks, playing down a player, playing down two players, both sides of the ball. When I look at what they had to do defensively to stay compact with 10 players, then nine players. Yes, Olivia Moultrie as well. But I look at Jesse Fleming, both sides of the ball, doing that work in midfield. And it was a performance for the ages at a team level. And I think certainly a very memorable one for her on both sides of the ball.

45:37Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, Portland is really becoming one of those teams that produces leaders. And in those moments where you really have to be perfect defensively after having two players down at one point. I mean, minute nine, that first red card. But anyway, we already talked about it. Okay, my choice. And I think the picture is perfect because it really illustrates what was going on, specifically in Evanston, Illinois. And Ali, I know you're going to be happy with this one. Tessa Delarose. You know, Tessa was really great. Not only did she get that goal against Kansas City, but she was solid throughout the whole match and was one of those pillars for Chicago.

46:16Jeff Kassouf:I mean, defensively, too, just really in those precise moments that we see here, cutting KC's momentum, which is much easier said than done. Ali, you know her well, and I even texted you. I was like, hey, she played TST with you guys, right? Because her name just sounded so familiar to me, and she had such a solid game. This is kind of an acrobatic finish for me, too, because she had to really. I'm not even going to try. She tried because I won't get up tomorrow. She lifted her leg. I mean, pretty much the level of her shoulder just to be able to get that goal in. But I mean, defensively and in those precise moments, Chicago really, really needed Tessa.

46:54Jeff Kassouf:And like you said, she's great. She was great for you guys, too.

46:58Cristina Alexander:She's such a young player, but she has that willingness to want to learn and to ask the questions and to get better. and she's always in the right place at the right time. And like she said, she's just doing her job. And that's at peace. She was just doing her job, and she did it really well, and she helped the team be successful. And all in all, I mean, wonderful person, too. So I am extremely excited for her because she didn't get this much time, you know, last year. And now she's, you know, just getting her feet wet, and it's wonderful to see.

47:26Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, it was wonderful to see her play this weekend with Chicago. All right, so Jan Stotter, Fleming, De La Rose, our Players of the Week. And our standings as of now. Yes, that is correct. Angels City and Houston Dash are the first and second of the table. Portland Thorns closely behind with six as well. North Carolina Courage with four. Gotham Alley there in fifth with four points as well. Casey Curran with that one win and still trying to play catch up. Utah Royals zero points and Boston Legacy still looking to at least get their first point in expansion history. Now St. George is already on a yellow.

48:11She's done. Boston is going to have to play the remainder of this match down a player. So the yellow card is upgraded to a serious foul, a red card for Janine Sonis. Oh, this is not the time for Taylor Huff to pick up a second yellow. Hump is off.

48:28Jeff Kassouf:A second yellow turns into a red card. Second yellow for Cassandra Boquere in the ninth minute of this match. After review, Portland number two committed a violent conduct offense. Final decision is a red card.

48:49Jeff Kassouf:Usually with a video like that, if someone asked me to guess what point of the season we were in maybe mid mid season right but no there's the most red scar red cards in nwsl at least for this season portland thorns with two in one game utah royals bfc boston legacy and denver both of their first games in expansion history had red cards on the same day ali are

49:15Cristina Alexander:you cool with it yes because they are red cards i mean they the you know cool with the red card or cool that they're they're getting right like are they

49:25Jeff Kassouf:are they are they warrant yeah the player said wait wait wait that was a tricky question

49:31Cristina Alexander:no am I cool with the red cards I'm not cool with you know players getting red cards because they're not being smart in the situations where I think are you know could be preventable I think that you know some of it is an experience some of it is just pure excitement some of it's adrenaline but in moments that are really key like for example a Utah at the end of a game with an experienced player. You just have to be smarter in that situation because it did lead to a goal, for example. And then Portland, fortunately, they came out of it, but it was the first nine minutes of the game, six to nine minutes of a game.

50:10Cristina Alexander:And you're just letting your team down from, you know, making silly fouls. And I know what happens in football, but I don't know if I ever got a red card in my entire career. And I think just in situations like that, you have to be smart. Because one, if you get out early, you let your team down, you have to struggle the rest of the game. Two, just stay on your feet. Just stay on your feet and defend well. Penn, did you get any red cards?

50:39Jeff Kassouf:Did we check that? All the way back. High school. Did we check that in the state, you mean? Yeah. Penn State, yeah. Oh, sorry, Penn State. Sorry. Maybe I need the red card now.

50:48Cristina Alexander:I don't think I've ever gotten a red card in my career unless our producer Beto has pulled something up. We believe you. We believe you. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. So we read the numbers. No, ultimately, I just think that some players, especially early on in the season, you have to be smarter. You have to be a lot cooler, calmer, and collected in those moments where you don't have to, you know, create these fouls, especially away from goal. There's no reason to, you know, create this. and and leave your team out to dry Jeff. Yeah I'm cool with it as the act of giving the cards as Ali said I think you know we should give some credit.

51:28I think the refereeing so far two weeks in has been very good. It's great. Yeah it's usually the time of year where everybody's upset about something because things are starting out a little strange. I think they've been very good. I think these the yellow cards have been yellows. The Reds have been Reds when they've been second yellows to Ali's point. The decision making we saw in some of those shots. We've got the ref cam now. We see exactly what they're saying. I actually love it, even beyond the, like, wild, you know, Marta or Emily Sonnet moments that we get from them. We get to see exactly what they're seeing on the foul, and I think it's in some ways even justified some of these calls.

52:03Nothing has changed from a referee perspective. They're looking for the same things as they always have been. So I think that we're just seeing it maybe this is the maturity of this refereeing group, this pool at large, after how many years. But, yeah, I think credit to them. I have no issues with the cards that have been given. And to Ali's point, I think there's a level of, if it's immaturity, I mean, these are things that have changed games. Portland, obviously, the anomaly maybe. But if you're Utah, if you're Boston trying to get back into an opening game, these have to be better decisions from players.

52:39But I think they've been the right calls through and through each time.

52:42Jeff Kassouf:I think for a lot of players and even us as viewers and, you know, working to a certain extent around the NWSL is that when we watch games and we see maybe the possibility of a second yellow so early in the game, we don't think it's going to happen because it's so early in the game. And I think what we're seeing now is that it is a possibility. So maybe, Ali, you don't get an official red because VAR wasn't around in the ref cam. Some ref cam footage, Ali Krieger. Prove it. Yeah. Well, we can't prove it unless you go back on the field. Football W exclusive. Allie Krieger comes out of retirement, which is something that I hope.

53:22Jeff Kassouf:Just to get a red card. All right. Hopefully no red cards this weekend for Boston Legacy or Utah Royals. That game Saturday noon Eastern ESPN to ESPN Deportes and the ESPN app. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting both your people and your facilities.

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54:45Jeff Kassouf:Take it to some Women's Champions League action. Leg one of the quarterfinals. Arsenal taking on Chelsea right away in the eighth minute. Lauren James trying to open this one up, Allie.

54:58Cristina Alexander:Yes, I mean, Alyssa had a field day there on the right-hand side in the first 15, 20 minutes of the game. I was able to create this brilliant, But unfortunately Lauren James hits the post. Yeah. 22nd minute.

55:10Jeff Kassouf:One nil for Arsenal Jeff. Dana Blackstin is. I mean she comes in big moments last year this year. Big time player. Big time player.

55:19Cristina Alexander:Chloe Kelly knows what that's like to Ali. Unbelievable the way that she saw this ahead of time. She takes a self pass just to the side to get that slight space away from the defender. And buries it in the back of the net.

55:34Jeff Kassouf:See what it means to her. I mean trying this from outside the box. Jeff, what a goal. I mean that's spectacular. That is ridiculous placement. It was nonchalant even. I mean really well done. 76 minute. Alessia Russo and a goal. Allie, we've heard that sentence before.

55:54Cristina Alexander:Yeah, I mean this touch too. This ball also the setup, right? She's just the timing, the touch, the little chip to herself. the way that she can bring that down and keep it low and the pace on that to be able to finish it. Incredible finish by her.

56:09Jeff Kassouf:I mean, it was a 3-1 win for Arsenal. The stats tell a different story, pretty even when you talk about all of the stats that we're seeing on screen at the moment. But let's get into what this means for Arsenal. What's been the key for, but before we get that, let's listen to some sound right now. Chloe Kelly. Chloe, a huge congratulations. We know the job is not done yet, but can we just take a moment for your goal, please? Thank you very much, Alex. I like that one. I enjoyed that one. I mean, you're just a player full of confidence at the moment. We saw a great goal from you the weekend, but when it just fell to your feet, you were just like, OK.

56:50Yeah, when you have confidence and it falls to your feet like that, Beth done unbelievable to find me on the opposite side and full of confidence, take that strike and I was frustrated at the start of the season, kept picking up a little niggle with my knee, but now I feel back. I feel confident and playing under Rene, she gives me a lot of confidence. So I love being in an Arsenal shot. How important were getting those goals at the time that you did? Chelsea felt like they had momentum, early momentum with the chances they had. But then I think after that Blacksinius goal on yourself, the momentum switch, how important were those two goals coming so close together?

57:20Yeah, really important. I think riding that storm at the start of the game and really sticking together in that moment. Then when we score, taking that momentum and pushing further for another goal. and when they score, getting momentum back and the less you're scoring. I think the shift in momentum is like riding that storm in those moments. And I think that we know that it's only halftime as the experience from last season. But I think building on that momentum and the energy that we're creating within is important now.

57:48Jeff Kassouf:About the momentum during the game, Ali. But Arsenal, as of late, has been that momentum. What's been the key for them to even bring it into this game, Champions League level against Chelsea.

58:00Cristina Alexander:I mean, she said it right there, right? It's confidence. They've won their 16 of the last 19 games. They've won nine straight games. They came off of a 5-0 win against West Ham over the weekend. And it's that confidence, that pure confidence that you play with. And also, just the dynamic front six, right? You have Beth Mead. You have Chloe Kelly at Blackstenius. You have Smith even coming into the game. Valencia Russo being able to score goals and create even with one of their best defenders and their captain Leah Williamson out with a hamstring. You know, they're able to get Wubamoy in there to be able to fill that hole and and to lift and create from the back.

58:41Cristina Alexander:Right. And to continue to keep that spine of the team that we always talk about super healthy and confident in the mentality that they had today to be able to come back. because the first 15 to 20 minutes, I thought Chelsea were going to take it. If maybe a couple of those goals from Alyssa Thompson would have gone in, or even Lauren James, the game would have been completely different. So Arsenal was able to get their hands on the game a little bit, get that momentum, and score a couple goals. And then you would see Chelsea, I think, their mentality shift a little bit. And that's when Arsenal, I think, took over the game.

59:22Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. But let's get into the Alyssa Thompson of it all. I mean, obviously not an ideal night. I was going to say afternoon, afternoon for us. But what are you liking about Alyssa Thompson's game and what you saw from her today? Yeah, I mean, we saw it in those opening minutes where she drives at the defender. Funky play, obviously, but, you know, you create your own chances and it's off the post. So with a very strange spin on it. But, like, I think that this is just the confidence really is the short answer to what I like from her. I mean you see it here 1v1 create your own chances obviously a different game if that goes in six minutes in but you know she's been spectacular 1v1 I think she's had a swagger about her I would say even before she left for Chelsea it was growing and she's had that she just has that as a player but since she's gotten to Chelsea in big games like this in the league seven goals two assists in the league she's got a goal and assist in Champions League she loves to run at defenders I think she's gotten better as the season has progressed for club and country and she's going to be a big piece of if they are able to come back in the second leg they're going to need everything and more from her and she'll have to be potentially you know one of the players getting on the board for them to erase this deficit for Chelsea and she's ready enough Allie to be able to carry that weight that Jeff just described right yeah for sure you can see it

1:00:43Cristina Alexander:already at this level I mean she was having so much finding so much success on that right hand side and And it was surprising to me to see her on the right, you know, up against McKay, because one, I think pace for pace, she was going to win that battle all day long. I'm not sure if that was purposeful or not from Sonia Bonpastor, but usually you see her on the left-hand side being able to cut in to take shots and get involved in that way and combine. So fortunately, she's versatile, and she could play on either side. She could play in the front three, you know, even in the 10 or even as a false nine.

1:01:16Cristina Alexander:So it's it's incredible at her age and the experience that she has right now to see that confidence and that mentality You know both with with club and country.

1:01:27Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, they have a second chance to really turn it around It will be tough with what we've already described in those stats that you mentioned from Arsenal and the momentum that they have Let's take a look at the other game that we saw Wolfsburg hosting and Leon in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on to the 13th minute we go. Lynette Berenstein's shot takes a heavy deflection and goes in, Jeff. Yeah, that's, I mean, unfortunate, obviously, from a Lyon perspective. But, I mean, again, you make your own chances, right? I mean, she takes the shot, and it's a huge deflection, but 1-0 up Wolfsburg.

1:02:03Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, and she was going to be the player of the Niter, was trying to be looking to double the lead there, Ali. Yes.

1:02:12Cristina Alexander:Then you who crosses in one of my former teammates. It's great to see her still out there running the show. The Bernstein whose header just goes right over the bar.

1:02:21Jeff Kassouf:59th minute. No the post denying. Got to Gianni there Jeff. Yeah. I mean look I think one of the better chances for Leon this. They really struggle to put shots on frame in this goal in this game. Excuse me. And Marie Antoinette got those header.

1:02:37Cristina Alexander:That one is too high alley. Yeah. Almost too high. but well done to at least try to get a touch on it in that moment.

1:02:45Jeff Kassouf:So Wolfsburg takes this one 1-0. So many shots for Lyon, but as both of you mentioned, it was tough to find one on target for them. Wolfsburg at the end taking that 1-0 lead early on, and that was enough to do it. Let's hear now from Vivienne Enderman. Incoming, we have a player of the game. Here she comes from Wolfsburg and what a game it was. Viv, well done to you. Fantastic stuff. And I mean, you're holding a trophy, a very well-deserved one as well. And just talk us through your emotions right now off the back of that game. Yeah, just crazy and unbelievable. I feel we have, like, so much energy on the pitch and we were very aggressive and we find the right player and we score one goal.

1:03:36Jeff Kassouf:They don't score any goals. So, yeah, it was good for us. And coming into this, you know, you're up against a team like Lyon, all the history and all the legacy and the clout that they have when it comes to Champions League. But that aggressiveness that you played with today, how important was it for you to start on the front foot? Yeah, very important. And I think because they have great players, and I think for us it's very important to be aggressive and maybe let's make a foul sometimes so that they don't get in their game. And, yeah, we made it. Yeah, and like she said, Lyon wasn't able to get anything in the back of the net.

1:04:16Jeff Kassouf:A 1-0 win for Wolfsburg. Jeff, what impressed you the most about this team today? Yeah, what or who? I mean, I think Svenja Huth was really, really good in the middle of the park. You know, we saw the cross in there. But I think just as a veteran playmaker, creating chances for Wolfsburg in a big moment, right? I mean, I think you look at playing Lyon eight time champions of Europe, maybe not necessarily the favorite. Right. And I think to to lead a team in that manner, both with your play and just, you know, how you're leading them through the match. I think Huth was was really spectacular for for Wolfsburg.

1:04:54Jeff Kassouf:You know her well, Ali. Tell us about Sonia.

1:04:57Cristina Alexander:I do. A young 16 year old. What a dream. She used to play on the right side with me and we had a really good relationship. She works extremely hard. She's so creative going 1v1 and she was very difficult to defend in training day in and day out. But she's super active. She always wants to get on the ball. She has that confidence and her crossing ability. I think it's not just about crossing the ball and being hopeful, but it's about picking players out. And I think we see that in each one of her games. And we saw that today. And I think that's something that's really impressed me with her game over the years is that she has intention with the way that she plays.

1:05:38Cristina Alexander:And she has purpose of the crosses that she can get off. And willingness to kind of put the team on her shoulders. You know, as captain or one of the captains for Wolfsburg, you could see that she really wants that job. And she's willing to take that on.

1:05:53Jeff Kassouf:Yeah, absolutely. And took it on. They did. Wolfsburg with this 1-0 win. It seems like the door is still wide open for Lyon. Anything can happen next week in the Champions League. And also tomorrow with the first leg, Real Madrid vs. Barcelona and Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich on ESPN. Deportes in on ESPN, plus starting at 1.45pm Eastern. We do have new programming coming up next week. We'll be back, not Tuesday, on Monday. same time different day 8 30 p.m. Eastern we'll have to see how much the standings shift I will enjoy it while it lasts Houston dash still up there but hey it's 1v2 on Friday see you then guys thanks

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